As an econ blogger I liked this article by Mark Thoma on the topic. He says economists have a long long history of engagement on important public policy issues. But this mission was weakened as econs tried to become more scientific preferring to stick in their labs rather than explain things to public. So much of the crisis was not understood by both economists and public.

Economics blogs are helping turn the tide as econs are making efforts to explain the crisis and its fallouts. They are again helping bridge the great disconnect (don’t understand American fascination to the word Great)..

First why did the disconnect happen? Obvious criticism is rising mathematization of Economics. Thoma disagrees it to be the only reason: